Cardiovascular Clinical Trials

Through ongoing cardiovascular research, our goal is to prolong and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. One way that we do this is by conducting and distributing the results of cardiovascular research.

Cardiovascular Research

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and one of the fastest rising causes of death and disability in the world.

Our cardiovascular research seeks to improve the care and treatment of adult patients with cardiovascular ailments. Comprised of clinical and outcomes research, studies are supported by philanthropy, federal sponsors, industry, or foundation grants.

As cardiovascular disease disorders are better understood, translating and applying these results to clinical practice and new therapies can improve patient outcomes.

Our goal is to bring clinical research and trial opportunities to our patients. We combine the expertise of practicing cardiologists and comprehensive clinical trial management services to support single- and multi-center national and international clinical trials of cardiovascular drugs and devices.

Vision and Focus

Our vision and focus is a group of investigators capable of:

Developing and/or conducting innovative clinical trials.
Performing regional educational activities for health care personnel and the general public, educating people on the recognition, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Research areas of focus:

Cardiovascular noninvasive imaging
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Cardiac Intensive Care
Clinical Hypertension
Clinical Lipidology

Heart Failure
Interventional Cardiology
Preventive Cardiology
Women's Heart Care

Current Cardiovascular Research Studies

COMPLETE TAVR Clinical Trial

Sponsor: University of British Columbia and Edwards Lifesciences
Primary Investigator: Joseph Walsh, MD - Interventional Cardiology

The purpose of the study is to find patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) who had successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with a balloon expandable heart valve, whether restoring blood flow to all blocked or narrowed arteries via percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using coronary stent(metal scaffold) is better than treat the coronary artery disease with medications only following TAVR.

Currently Enrolling subjects at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Please contact the research coordinators, Erika Calhoun at 208-302-9217 or Kristina Slanda at 208-302-0066 to discuss your participation in the clinical trial.

Link for more information

Staged Complete Revascularization for Coronary Artery Disease vs Medical Management Alone in Patients With AS Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Joseph Walsh, MD - Interventional Cardiology

PROGRESS CAP

Sponsor: Edwards Lifesciences
Primary Investigator: Joseph Walsh, MD - Interventional Cardiology

This Continued Access Protocol (CAP) trial is being done to see if the SAPIEN 3™ and SAPIEN 3 Ultra™ Transcatheter Heart Valve is beneficial for patients with moderate, calcific aortic stenosis. Aortic Stenosis is a progressive disease, which means it will get worse over time. Because of this, doctors will typically measure it as Mild, Moderate, or Severe Aortic Stenosis. The stage of aortic stenosis depends on how damaged your aortic valve is. Normally, only patients that have Severe Aortic Stenosis with symptoms can have their valve replaced. This Continued Access Protocol (CAP) trial will help us see if replacing the valve earlier can lead to health improvements by stopping or preventing the worsening of damage to the heart for patients with this condition.

Link for more information

Joseph Walsh, MD - Interventional Cardiology